JPH0975330A - Medical use image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a biological signal so as to equally scroll the waveform of biological signal at the frame rate of a monitor by displaying the biological signal to be displayed on a display means while shifting it for prescribed quantity when the frame rate of a photographing means is delayed rather than that of the display means. SOLUTION: A CPU 212 monitors the frame rates of a TV camera 107 and a monitor 117 and, when the frame rates are equal, '0' is outputted to a latch 213, but when the frame rate of the monitor 117 is accelerated rather than that of the TV camera 107, 'shift quantity' is outputted. A comparator 215 compares the value of a memory for storing a value corresponding to a display area with the output value of a horizontal counter 214 for control and a digital switch 203 is turned on/off. A buffer memory 114 for waveform is made into a double screen buffer composed of RAM 201 and 202 and the initial value of a read-out horizontal counter 211 is set for picture element clocks corresponding to the 'shift quantity' successively from '0' and read out. Thus, the display waveform is successively moved to left at the frame rate of the monitor 117.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus, and in particular, a biometric image captured by a TV camera and a biometric signal recorded by a multipurpose electric recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "polygraph") are the same. The present invention relates to a technique for displaying on a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional medical image processing apparatus, for example,
When angiographic X-ray imaging of the heart is performed, in order to observe the strict movement of the heart, an X-ray image of the heart taken as a moving image with a TV camera and an electrocardiographic waveform recorded by a polygraph are recorded on the same TV monitor ( Hereinafter, it is generally displayed on a "monitor".).

At this time, an X-ray image is taken by a television (TV) camera at a speed of 15 to 60 frames / sec and displayed on a monitor.

On the other hand, the electrocardiographic waveform has been displayed at the frame rate of the monitor so that the latest few seconds have the right end of the display area as the latest data and scroll from right to left.

When the frame rate of the TV camera is slower than the frame rate of the monitor, or when the slow display is performed at a slower speed than that at the time of shooting, the medical image processing apparatus displays the same image on the monitor in plural frames. Had to show.

For example, the frame rate of the TV camera is slower than the frame rate of the monitor, and as shown in FIG.
When one electrocardiographic waveform corresponding to one line image is recorded, the electrocardiographic waveform displayed on the monitor having a frame rate slower than that of the TV camera is displayed every several frames together with the X-ray image.

This is also the case when the slow display is performed, and the electrocardiographic waveform is displayed together with the X-ray image every several frames according to the display speed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a result of studying the above prior art, the present inventor has found the following problems.

In the conventional medical image processing apparatus, when the frame rate of the monitor is faster than that of the TV camera, the same X-ray image and electrocardiographic waveform are displayed for each of a plurality of sheets. However, there is a problem in that it becomes unnatural and the scrolling speed of the electrocardiographic waveform becomes uneven and intermittent, making it difficult to observe.

Furthermore, when the frame rate of the TV camera is 1/2 of the frame rate of the monitor, that is, two identical X-ray images and electrocardiographic waveforms must be displayed on each monitor, the conventional medical image is used. In the processing device, the observer perceives the electrocardiographic waveform as if it were scrolling at a uniform speed while blinking the double electrocardiographic waveform as shown in FIG. There was a problem that it interfered with.

An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image processing apparatus capable of displaying a biological signal waveform as if it scrolls evenly at the monitor frame rate regardless of the frame rates of the TV camera and the monitor. It is to be.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

(1) At least a photographing means for photographing a living body image of the subject, a recording means for recording the living body signal of the subject, and a display means for displaying the living body image and the living body signal. In the medical image processing apparatus, the display is updated at the frame rate of the display means, the comparing means comparing the frame rate of the photographing means and the frame rate of the display means, and the comparing means is provided from the display means. When it is determined that the frame rate of the image capturing unit is slower, the display unit includes a display control unit that shifts the biological signal displayed on the display unit by a predetermined amount.

According to the above-mentioned means, for example, when the angiographic X-ray imaging of the heart is performed by the display means (monitor) having a frame rate twice as high as that of the image capturing means (TV camera), the image of the heart captured by the image capturing means is obtained. Together with the X-ray image, the electrocardiographic waveform detected by the recording means is displayed on the display means at the frame rate of the display means.

At this time, if the display control means compares the frame rates of the photographing means and the display means and detects that the frame rate of the display means is twice the frame rate of the photographing means, the display control means is The X-ray image and the electrocardiographic waveform respectively recorded by the photographing means and the recording means are displayed at the update timing of the display image of the nearest display means.

Therefore, since the X-ray image and the electrocardiographic waveform of the photographing means and the recording means have not been updated at the time of updating the display image of the next display means, the display control means does not update the previous X-ray image. The same X-ray image as that at the time of updating is displayed, while the electrocardiographic waveform is displayed at the position where the same electrocardiographic waveform as at the time of the previous update is moved to the left by a predetermined amount on the monitor screen.

In this way, the display control means compares the frame rates of the photographing means and the display means, and when it is found that the frame rate of the display means is higher than the frame rate of the photographing means, the display control means. By moving the position for displaying the waveform data that has not been updated by a predetermined amount, the display update cycle of the display means (frame rate)
Since the electrocardiographic waveform is updated and displayed as if it is scrolling evenly, it is possible to observe the electrocardiographic waveform naturally.

Further, since the electrocardiographic waveform is not displayed at the same position more than once more than once, it is erroneously recognized as if the double electrocardiographic waveform is blinking and scrolling at a uniform speed. It is possible to make an accurate diagnosis.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with embodiments.

In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a medical image processing apparatus of the present invention, 101 is an information processing apparatus, 102 is a high voltage apparatus, 103 is an X-ray tube apparatus, 1
Reference numeral 04 is a contrast agent injector, 105 is a subject, 106 is an image intensifier (fluorescent image intensifier), and 107 is a T
V camera (imaging means), 108 polygraph (recording means), 109 image input means, 110 waveform input means,
111 is a delay memory, 112 is a recording memory, 113
Is an image buffer memory, 114 is a waveform buffer memory, 115 is a waveform display control means (display control means), 11
6 is a synthesizing means and 117 is a monitor (TV monitor, display means).

In FIG. 1, a TV camera 107 and a polygraph 108 are connected as input devices to the information processing device 101, and a monitor 117 and a high voltage device 102 are connected as output devices, and the information processing device 101 is connected to the image input means 1.
09, waveform input means 110, delay memory 111, recording memory 112, image buffer memory 113, waveform buffer memory 114, waveform display control means 115, and synthesizing means 116.

The image input means 109 is a TV camera 107.
The electric signal of the image photographed by is converted into digital image data.

The waveform input circuit 110 includes a polygraph 108.
The electric signal (waveform data) detected and amplified by is converted into a digital waveform signal, and this signal is further converted into a bit map signal.

The delay memory 111 includes the image input means 10
The output of the TV camera 107 fetched as digital image data by 9 is delayed by one frame.

The recording memory 112 is the delay memory 11
1 and the waveform data output from the waveform input means 110 are stored, and the stored data is output according to an operator's instruction.

The image buffer memory 113 has a well-known structure and temporarily stores digital image data in order to convert the image data captured at the frame rate of the TV camera 107 into the frame rate of the monitor 117. It is a memory, and when writing data, the TV camera 107
The frame rate conversion is performed by controlling the write address by the horizontal synchronizing signal and the pixel clock and controlling the read address by the horizontal synchronizing signal and the pixel clock of the monitor at the time of data reading.

The waveform buffer memory 114 is a memory for temporarily storing the waveform data captured at the frame rate of the TV camera 107 so as to be converted into the frame rate of the monitor 117.

The waveform display control means 115 controls the read address of the waveform data stored in the waveform buffer memory 114, and controls the display position of the waveform data displayed on the monitor 117.

The synthesizing means 116 generates and outputs a video signal in which the image and the waveform are synthesized from the image data and the waveform data read from the image buffer memory 113 and the waveform buffer memory 114.

The high voltage device 102 is the information processing device 101.
On the basis of a signal from an output means (not shown), the X-ray tube device 103 is caused to generate a high voltage required to generate a predetermined amount of X-rays.

The X-ray tube device 103 generates X-rays and irradiates the subject 105 with the X-rays.

The contrast agent injector 104 is a device for injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessel of the subject 105 to be imaged.

The image intensifier 106 is
The X-ray transmitted through the subject 105 is converted into a fluorescent image which is an optical image, and the brightness thereof is amplified.

The TV camera 107 photographs the transmitted X-rays converted into an optical image by the image intensifier 106 and converts it into an electric signal.

The polygraph 108 is an electric signal (electrocardiographic potential) detected by an electrode (not shown) attached to the subject 105.
Is amplified and output to the information processing apparatus 101, and the electric signal thereof is recorded.

The monitor 117 displays the angiographic image and the electrocardiographic waveform (waveform data) based on the video signal output from the synthesizing means 116.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of the waveform buffer memory 114 and the waveform display control means 115, and 201 and 202 are RAMs (Random).
(Abbreviation for Acces Memory), 203 to 207 are digital switches, 208 is a write vertical counter, 20
Reference numeral 9 is a write horizontal counter, 210 is a read vertical counter, 211 is a read horizontal counter, and 212 is a CPU.
(Central Processing Unit:
(Central processing unit), 213 is a latch, 214 is a horizontal control counter, and 215 is a comparator.

In FIG. 2, the RAMs 201 and 202 have two
Acts as a surface replacement buffer, digital switch 204
Vertical counters 208, 21 selected by
The waveform data bit map signal is stored or output using the output of 0 as an address.

The digital switch 203 is based on the output of the comparator 215, and either the RAM 201 or the RAM 2
The output of the bitmap signal stored in 02 is controlled.

The digital switches 204 to 207 switch the operations of the RAMs 201 and 202, that is, whether to record the input image data or output the stored image data, based on a switching signal (not shown).

The write vertical counter 208, together with the write horizontal counter 209, is a counter for generating addresses at the time of writing in the RAMs 201 and 202.
The count value is cleared by the vertical synchronizing signal of the TV camera 107 and counted up by the horizontal synchronizing signal.

The writing horizontal counter 209 is a counter for generating an address at the time of writing in the RAMs 201 and 202 together with the writing vertical counter 208, and the count value is cleared by the vertical synchronizing signal of the TV camera 107, and the pixel clock is used. Count up.

The read vertical counter 210, together with the read horizontal counter 211, is a counter for generating an address when the RAMs 201 and 202 are read.
The count value is cleared by the vertical synchronizing signal of the monitor 117 and counted up by the horizontal synchronizing signal.

The reading horizontal counter 211 is a counter for generating an address at the time of reading of the RAMs 201 and 202 together with the reading vertical counter 210, and the count value thereof has the output value of the latch 213 as an initial value and the pixels of the monitor 117. Count up with a clock.

The CPU 212 monitors the respective frame rates from the vertical synchronizing signals of the TV camera 107 and the monitor 117, outputs "0" to the latch 213 in the same case, and the frame rate of the monitor 117 is TV. If it is faster than the camera 107, the “deviation amount” calculated by the following equation 1 is output.

[0048]

(Equation 1)

The latch 213 is a latch for temporarily storing the initial value of the read horizontal counter 211 output from the CPU 212, and performs a latch operation by a latch signal (not shown).

The control horizontal counter 214 includes the monitor 11
It is cleared by the vertical signal of 7 and the monitor 117
Count up with the pixel clock of.

The comparator 215 compares the value of a memory (not shown) that stores a value corresponding to a preset display area with the output value of the control horizontal counter 214, and turns on / off the digital switch 203. Is output.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the delay memory 111, in which 301 and 302 are frame memories and 303 and 304 are digital switches.

In FIG. 3, frame memories 301, 3
Reference numeral 02 stores image data as output data of a horizontal counter and a vertical counter (not shown) as address data, and output of a not-shown switching counter as a read / write switching signal, or outputs stored image data. To do.

However, the vertical counter (not shown)
Frame memories 301 and 302 together with the horizontal counter
Is a counter for generating an address at the time of writing or reading, and the count value is the TV camera 107.
It is cleared by the vertical sync signal of and is incremented by the horizontal sync signal.

The horizontal counter (not shown) is a counter for generating an address at the time of writing or reading of the frame memories 301 and 302 together with the vertical counter, and the count value is cleared by the vertical synchronizing signal of the TV camera 107, Count up with the pixel clock.

The switching counter is a 1-bit counter for generating signals for switching between read / write switching of the frame memories 301 and 302 and switching of the digital switches 303 and 304, and counts up or outputs with a vertical synchronizing signal. The "0" / "1" (or "H" / "L") inversion operation is performed.

Next, the procedure for displaying an angiographic image of the heart of the subject 105 and an electrocardiogram on the monitor 117 is shown in FIG.
A description will be given based on a few.

When the operator gives an instruction to start the inspection from a keyboard (not shown), first, the high voltage device 102 is started.
Applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube device 103 based on a signal from the information processing device to generate X-rays.

The X-ray is injected into the blood vessel to be imaged by the contrast agent injector 104, and the subject 10 is injected with the contrast agent.
After passing through 5, and converted into an optical image by the image intensifier 106 and amplified, the image is taken by the TV camera 107 (converted into an electric signal), and the image input means 109 converts this electric signal into digital image data. .

On the other hand, the electrocardiographic waveform signal obtained by the polygraph 108 having electrodes attached to the subject 105 is converted into a bitmap signal by the waveform input means 110.

This bit map signal is used as the image input means 1.
Although it is converted in synchronization with the digital image data converted in 09, when it is recorded in the recording memory 112 or stored in the image buffer memory 113 or the waveform buffer memory 114 as display data, Since the digital image data is delayed by the delay memory 111 by one frame of the TV camera 107, the bit map signal is data advanced by one frame with respect to the digital image data.

Digital image data recorded directly in the delay memory 111 or the waveform input means 110, or once recorded in the recording memory 112 and read after the end of photographing is stored in the image buffer memory 113, and the bitmap signal is stored in the waveform memory. It is sent to each of the buffer memories 114.

The image buffer memory 113 which has received the digital image data sends the digital image data to the synthesizing means 116 at the frame rate of the monitor 117.

On the other hand, the waveform buffer memory 114 receiving the bit map signal converts the bit map signal into the frame rate of the monitor 117, and when the frame rate of the TV camera 107 is slower than the frame rate of the monitor 117. The waveform display control unit 115 controls the address when reading, converts the address into the frame rate of the monitor 117, and sends it to the synthesizing unit 116 as a signal for moving the display position on the monitor 117 to the left.

The synthesizing means 116 D / A the digital image data and the bit map signal sent from the image buffer memory 113 and the waveform buffer memory 114.
The conversion is converted into a video signal in which the X-ray fluoroscopic image and the electrocardiographic waveform are combined, and is output to the monitor 117 for display.

Next, the frame rate of the monitor 117 is T
FIG. 4 shows a time chart for explaining the operation of the medical image processing apparatus of this embodiment when the frame rate of the V camera 107 is three times, and FIG. 5 shows an electrocardiographic waveform displayed on the monitor 117 at this time. 1 and will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, at time A, it is confirmed that the vertical synchronization signals of the TV camera 107 and the monitor 117 are simultaneously input.
When the PU 212 detects it, the CPU 212 outputs a switching signal (not shown) to perform the two-sided switching operation of the RAMs 201 and 202, switches the RAM 201 from writing to reading, and switches the RAM 202 from reading to writing, and clears the latch 213. .

At this time, since the values of the write vertical counter 208 and the write horizontal counter 209 are input as the address data of the RAM 202, the data of the electrocardiographic waveform converted into the bit map signal by the waveform input means 110 is input to the TV of the TV. It is stored at the frame rate of the camera 107.

On the other hand, as the address data of the RAM 201, the values of the read vertical counter 210 and the read horizontal counter 211 are input as the address data, so that the (N-1) th bit map signal stored in the RAM 201 is the frame of the monitor 117. Output at rate.

The value of the latch 213 is set as the initial value of the read horizontal counter 211, but since the latch 213 is cleared, the bit map signal stored in the RAM 201 is as shown in the first frame of FIG. 5a. Therefore, the data is read without any deviation.

However, the comparator 215 uses the RAM and the horizontal absolute coordinate value corresponding to the preset display area.
The output value of the control horizontal counter 214 indicating the horizontal absolute coordinate value of the bitmap signal read from 201 is compared, and if it is outside the display area, the digital switch 203
Is set to "OFF" and the digital switch 203 is set to "ON" when it is within the area. Therefore, only the bitmap signal corresponding to the preset area is sent to the synthesizing means 116, and as a result, the monitor 117 is displayed. Shows only the electrocardiographic waveform shown by the solid line in the first frame of FIG. 4b.

On the other hand, since the image data input to the synthesizing means 116 is delayed by one frame in the delay memory 111, the (N-1) th digital image data which is the same as the bit map signal is sent to the synthesizing means 116. .

At the next time B, the CPU 212 causes the latch 213 to latch the number of pixel clocks corresponding to the “deviation amount” calculated from Equation 1, so that the initial value of the read horizontal counter 211 is latched in the latch 213. Since it is a value, the display absolute coordinate value of the electrocardiographic waveform drawn on the monitor 117 after the bit map signal read from the RAM 201 is converted is, as shown in the second frame of FIG. It will be displayed at a position shifted to the left by the minute.

Further, as described above with respect to the read bit map signal, by sending only the bit map signal of the absolute coordinate value corresponding to the preset display area to the synthesizing means 116, as shown in FIG. Only the range shown by the solid line in the second frame is displayed on the monitor 117.

At time C, the CPU 212 causes the latch 213 to latch the number of pixel clocks corresponding to twice the “deviation amount” calculated from Equation 1, so that the initial value of the read horizontal counter 211 is latched in the latch 213. Therefore, the display absolute coordinate value of the bitmap signal read from the RAM 201 is shifted to the left by the “shift amount” from the display waveform of the second frame, that is, as shown in the third frame of FIG. From the display waveform of the first frame, it is displayed at a position shifted to the left by twice the "deviation amount".

At time D, that is, when the vertical synchronizing signals of the TV camera 107 and the monitor 117 are input again, C
The PU 212 switches the RAM 202 for reading and reads the Nth data by the procedure described above,
The second bit map signal is read without the “deviation amount” as shown in the fourth frame of FIG.
Since the value of 13 is cleared, the electrocardiographic waveform shown in the 4th frame of FIG. 4b is displayed.

After that, by repeating the above-described operation, the electrocardiographic waveform displayed on the monitor 117 is recorded from the right as shown at the frame rate of the monitor as shown in the first to fourth frames of FIG. 4b. The ECG waveform appears to scroll to the left.

As described above, the waveform buffer memory 114 is a two-sided buffer consisting of the RAMs 201 and 202, and when the TV camera 107 converts the frame rate of the monitor 117, the initial value of the read horizontal counter 211 is set to "0". By sequentially setting and reading the number of pixel clocks corresponding to the “deviation amount” from “”, the position of the display waveform from which the same bitmap signal is read is sequentially moved to the left. Therefore, the display waveform at the frame rate of the monitor 117 is displayed. Will move to the left one by one.

As a result, the monitor 117 regardless of the frame rates of the TV camera 107 and the monitor 117.
The electrocardiographic waveform can be displayed as if scrolling evenly at the frame rate of, and the visibility is also improved.

Furthermore, the electrocardiographic waveform to be displayed in a region other than the preset display area of the monitor 117 is not sent to the synthesizing means 116 by the horizontal control counter 214, the comparator 215, and the digital switch 203, that is, the monitor 117. By not displaying it on the monitor 117, the movement of the end of the electrocardiographic waveform due to the movement of the electrocardiographic waveform itself on the monitor 117 can be prevented, and the visibility is further improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above by using the angiographic X-ray image of the heart as the biometric image and the electrocardiogram (electrocardiographic signal) as the biometric signal, the medical image processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to the case of observing the biometric image and the biometric signal.

As described above, the invention made by the present inventor
Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0083]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

Regardless of the frame rates of the photographing means and the display means, the biological signal waveform can be displayed at the frame rate of the display means as if scrolling evenly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a medical image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a waveform buffer memory and a waveform display control means.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a delay memory.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the medical image processing apparatus of this embodiment when the frame rate of the monitor is three times the frame rate of the TV camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an electrocardiographic waveform displayed on the monitor of the conventional medical image processing apparatus when the frame rate of the monitor is faster than the frame rate of the TV camera.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing respective correspondences when an image and a waveform are recorded.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrocardiographic waveform displayed on a monitor of a conventional medical image processing apparatus when the frame rate of the monitor is twice the frame rate of the TV camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... Information processing device, 102 ... High voltage device, 103 ...
X-ray tube device, 104 ... Contrast agent injector, 105 ... Subject,
106 ... Image intensifier (fluorescent image intensifier), 107 ... TV camera (imaging means), 108 ... Polygraph (recording means), 109 ... Image input means, 110 ...
Waveform input means, 111 ... delay memory, 112 ... recording memory, 113 ... image buffer memory, 114 ... waveform buffer memory, 115 ... waveform display control means, 116
... combining means 117 ... monitor (TV monitor) 201,
202 ... RAM, 203-207 ... Digital switches,
208 ... Write vertical counter, 209 ... Write horizontal counter, 210 ... Read vertical counter, 211 ... Read horizontal counter, 212 ... CPU, 213 ... Latch, 214 ... Control horizontal counter, 215 ... Comparator, 301.302 ... Frame memory, 303 ・ 304
… Digital switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least a photographing means for photographing a living body image of a subject, a recording means for recording a living body signal of the subject, and a display means for displaying the living body image and the living body signal. A medical image processing device for updating the display at the frame rate of the display means, the comparing means comparing the frame rate of the photographing means and the frame rate of the display means, and the comparing means from the display means. A medical image processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that displays the biological signal displayed on the display unit by shifting a predetermined amount when it is determined that the frame rate of the image capturing unit is slower.